Engine-starter



1. w. ESTERLINE AND 0. 1. ANGUS.

ENGINE STARTER. APPLFCA'TION FILED MAY 4, 1917.

Patented May 3, 1921.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY}, I917.

1,376,752. Patented May 3,1921.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, I917.

Patented May 3, 1921.

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JOHN W. ESTERLXNE AND DONALD J. ANGUS, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNORS TO TIDTEWATER EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, OF PORTLAND,

MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

ENGINE-STARTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 3, 1921.

Application filed May 4, 1917. Serial No. 166,341.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN W. EsrnRLINn and DONALD J. ANoUs, citizens of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Engine-Starters, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved starter for internal combustion engines. t comprises, briefly stated, a relatively small electric motor, a spring for storing energy developed by the electric motor, a brake for restraining the spring until such time as the service of the spring is required, means for transmitting motion from the spring to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, and com trolling devices for the brake and for the circuit of the electric motor.

The foregoing elements and others herein after described are organized to operate as follows. The main spring is normally or initially wound, and remains under the restraint of the brake mechanism until the operator closesamanually operative electric switch to energize the electric motor. When the motor is thus energized it drives suitable elements that automatically release the brake, and the main spring is thus permitted to turn the crankshaft of the engine to induce combustion in the latter. Assuming that the engine responds promptly to the force of the main spring, the latter spends itself until it becomes fully relaxed, and in the course of such relaxing, other mechanism operates automatically to close a shunt circuit through the motor to relieve the operator from the necessity of keeping the manually operative switch closed. As soon as the main spring is fully relaxed the brake mechanism is automatically applied, but the shunt circuit of the motor remains closed so that the motor rewind the spring. Suitable speed-reducing gearing transmits rotation from the armature shaft of the motor to one end of the main spring, and in due course the spring is again fully wound. When the rewinding is complete the shunt circuit through the motor is opened automatically by mechanism driven by the motor. This, in a broad sense, completes a normal cycle of operations. If, however,

the crankshaft of the engine should not respond fully to the stress of the starting spring, and complete relaxing of the latter should be thereby prevented, a different sequence of events would follow, as will be eX- plained in due course.

The electric motor that is employed to wind the starting spring is intended to be supplied with electric current from a storage battery. The starting apparatus, in the present instance, is designed primarily for installation in a motor vehicle, and the storage battery that would ordinarily store electrical energy for electric lighting and electric ignition in the vehicle would serve also to supply current to the electric motor of the starting apparatus. 1 this connection it is to be observed that electric motor is comparatively small, and, as a result of the great reduction in speed between the motor and the starting spring, the draft of current from the storage battery for winding the spring is verysmall. Nevertheless, the interval of time between the closing of the manually operative starting switch and the release of the st ting spring; is almost instantaneous, for it does not include the winding interval;

0f the accompanying drawings, which illustrate what at present is considered the preferred embod' nent of the invention:

Figure 1 represents a front View of the starti g; mechanism, portions the'reot being by line l1 1n ver ical section as indicated of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal verticalecticn in two planes, as indicated by line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 represents a. rear elevation of the starting apparatus.

Fig. t represents an inverted plan view, partly in section, as indicate by line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 represents a vertical cross section in the plane indicated by line 5-5 of Fig. 2. This figure shows the parts in their normal or initial positions, the spring being fully wound, the brake mechanism being applied to restrain the spring, and the automatic switch for the shunt circuit of the motor being open.

Fig. 6 represents a sectional view similar to the lower part of Fig. 5, showing the parts in positions indicating that the brake has been released, that the starting spring has become nearly fully relaxed, and that the automatic switch of the shunt motor circuit has been closed.

Fig. 7 represents an elevation, partly in section, of the brake-controlling mechanism in the same condition as that shown by Fi 6.

. Fig. 8 represents a horizontal section through the structure intersected by line 88 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 represents a diagram of the electric circuit that includes the winding motor.

Fig. 10 represents a sectional view similar to Fig. 5, showing the starting spring as having become fully relaxed, and the brake mechanism as having been reset.

Fig. 11 represents a perspective view of the brake mechanism standing by itself.

Fig. 12 represents a sectional view, on a largerscale, through the automatic switch of the motor circuit, as indicated by line 1212 of 10.

Fig. 13 illustrates in section the coupling between the engine crank shaft and the start ing shaft.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts wherever they occur.

The several groups of mechanism hereinmitting rotation from the spring casing This casing has bearings for the starting shaft 16, said hearings, in the present 111- V stance, being of the anti-friction roller type and being indicated at 17, 17 The starting spring 18 may be of the volute type, if desired, and is arranged within a rotatable casing 19, the periphery of which is cylindrical and is utilized as a brake drum to restrain the spring while the latter is being wound and until such time as it is desired to use the spring for effecting a start of the internalcombustion engine. The other principal element of the brake is a flexible band 20. See Fig. 11. The outer end of the spring is anchored to the periphery of the rotatable casingby any suitable means, such as rivets, one of which is indicated at 21. in Figs. 5 and 10. The inner end of the spring is anchored to a rotatable sleeve 22 by suitable means such as screws, one of which is indicated at 23. The spring is V wound by its inner end and is unwound by rotation of its outer end, tie directionof such rotation being indicated by arrows a in Figs. 1, 5 and 10.

Sleeve 22 is formed upon a winding gear 24, and the latter is driven by an electric motor that is indicated as a whole at 25. Referring to Fig. 3, the armature shaft of the motor is indicated at 26. Suitable speed-reducing gearing transmits rotation from shaft .26 to winding gear 24. This gearing includes a driving pinion 27 and a gear 28 meshing therewith, pinion 29 and gear 30 meshing therewith, and pinion 31 meshing with gear 24. A ratchet wheel 32 is affixed to one of the rotatable elements of said train of gearing and is engaged by a retaining pawl 33 that prevents the spring from driving the motor backward when the motor is idle. The motor 25 is aflixed to the main casing 15 as shown by Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the casing for the starting spring includes a pin-gear 34, in addition to the brake-member 19, the members 19 and 34 being affixed to each other and being, to all intents and purposes a unit excepting in its structural aspect. The member 34 carries a hardened sleeve 35 that is provided with internal ratchet teeth 36. This sleeve constitutes one principal element of a one-way clutch for trans mitting rotation from the spring casing to the starting shaft 16. Said clutch includes also pawls 37, and the latter are carried by a sleeve 38 and connected to the latter by pivot pins 39. Sleeve 38 is afiixed to shaft 16. The ratchet-engaging portions of the pawls are held normally in engagement with the ratchet sleeve by helical compression springs 40, but when the shaft 16 is being driven by the internal combustionengine, centrifugal force keeps the pawls out of engagement with the ratchet sleeve and thus avoids clicking of the pawls over the teeth 36. For this purpose the pawls are provided with weight-portions 41 that counteract the stress of springs 40. WVhen the forward ends 41 of the pawls are held outward by centrifugal force they do not engage the ratchet teeth 36, because the rear ends of the pawls at such time engage the sleeve 38.

The two ends of brake-band 20 are anchored respectively to pins 42 and 43. These pins are carried by a pair of floating levers 44. The term floating levers is used for the reason that the elements 44 do not have any fixed fulcrum but are capable of bodily movement about the axis of shaft 16 in addition to being capable of angular movement for contracting and expand ing the brake-band. A pivot pin 45 extends through the levers 44 and connects the latter with a pair of links 46. It is to be observed that the anchoring pin 43 for the trailing end of the brake-band is between pin 45 and pin 42 that anchors the leading end of the brakeband, and that any angular movement of levers 44- about the aXis of pin 45 in response to rotative movement of the brake-drum in the direction of arrow at will cause additional tight latter is carried a short distance from its normal position by the unwinding tendency of the spring. The arresting of the leadi g end of the band prevents further tightening of the latter and enables the brakedrum to slip relatively to the band until such time as the brake mechanism is capable of sustaining the applied force 01 the startin spring, as will be understood after further description.

Links 46 carry a pivot pin 48 upon which is mounted, between the links, a cam roll 49. This roll is arranged to be engaged by the brakereleasing cam 50. Cam 50 is circular excepting that it has two raised portions 51 which are diametrically opposite each other and which actalternately to depress roll 49 to release the brake.

Links 52 are arranged upon pin 48, and, in conjunction with links 46, constitute a toggle mechanism. A pin 53 (see Fig. 7) connects links 52 one with the other. This pin extends through slots 54 formed in a two-part fixture 55. A lever 56 is arranged between the two parts or" said fixture as shown by Figs. 2 and 11, and is slotted to receive the pin 53. The fulcrum pin 57 of said lever is atlixed to fixture 55. The free end of the lever 56 is arranged to cotiperate with a helical compression spring 58. Spring 56 normally holds the brake-band from being dragged by the brake-drum through the following intermediate elementslever 56, pin 53, links 52, pin 48, links 46, and levers 44; but enables said intermediate connections to yield, it need be, in the direction of arrow 5 (Fig. 5 to permit the leading end 01 the brake-band to abut against stop element 47 without subjecting the *rakeband to excessive tension that might otherwise injure the latter. VVhe links 46 move in the direction of arrow I), cam roll 49, links 52, and pin 53 necessarily move in unison therewith, and it is to permit such movement of pin 53 that the fixture is provided with the slots 5-1:.

Fig. 5 shows the elements in their normal or initial positions, the starting spring being fully w iund, the brake being set to restrain said 5;. '1g, roll 49 being held against the brake-releasing cam by a helical tension spring 59, and the movable elements all being at rest. It will be observed that the axis of pin 46 above the dead center line that intersects the axes of pins 45 and 53, and that any tendency of the links 46 to move in the direction of arrow Z) in response to the drag of the brake drum will result in pressing cam roll more forcibly against its cam. in order to release the brake it is necessary to depress roll 49 until the axis of pin 43 is below the said dead center line. this fact being due to'the toggle relation or". links and 52. The raised portions 51 of thebrake-releasing cam are raised sufficiently to depress the roll below the dead center line, and the brake cannot be released otherwise.

Roll 49 coiiperates with another cam, indicated at 60, which is circular excepting that it has two depressions 61 that are diametrically opposite each other. The relation of the two cams 50, 60, and roll 49, is shown well by Fig. 2. One depression 61 or the other will always be in registration with cam roll 49 when the elements are in their normal position, thus enabling the cam roll to remain above dead center. Spring 59, though comparatively light, tends continually to reset the brake-applying. mechanism in the normal position shown by Fig. 5, and it is to prevent premature resetting that the cam is provided, the high portions o1 said cam preventing roll 49 rising to the said dead center line of the toggle mechanism. While the spring is unwinding to eil'ect a start the drag of the brake-drum on the brake-band holds the brake-applying mecha nism in the condition shown by Figs. 6 and 7, thus counteracting the brake-setting stress of spring 59.

Cam 50 is ariixed to a sleeve 62, as shown by Fig. 8, and cam 60 is affixed to a sleeve 63. These two sleeves are mounted upon a dead spindle 64 that is mounted in and aflixed to the main casing 15. A star-wheel 65 is atfixed to sleeve 62 and is arranged to be ro tated intermittently by studs 66 carried by the winding gear 24. See Fig. 2. In the present instance there are two such studs. A star-wheel 67 is ailixed to sleeve 63 and is arranged to be rotated intermittently by two studs 68 carried by the member 34 of the spring casing. Referring again to Fig. 8, a collar 69 is arranged upon spindle 64 between cams 50 and 60 and is atlixed to the spindle. A washer 70 of triction material is interposed between collar 69 and cam 50, and a similar washer is interposed between collar 69 and cent 69. Dished spring-disks 71 are arranged upon the spindle and bear against the star wheels 65 and 67 respectively, to keep cams 50 and 60 pressed against the friction washers to prevent overtravel of the star-wheels in consequenceof the momentum acquired by their respective pin-gears.

Sleeves 62 and 63 are rotatable independently of each other, the former being driven exclusively by the spring-winding mechanism, and sleeve 63 being driven exclusively by the mechanism that transmits rotation from the outer end of the spring to the starting shaft 16.

Sleeve 62 carries a cam 72 that closes a shunt circuit through the motor 25. The electrical circuit is shown diagrammatically by Fig. 9. In this figure the winding motor is represented conventionally at 25, and the battery that supplies current therefor is in dicated at 7 3. One terminal of the battery operative switch 76.

case of a motor vehicle, would preferably be" is connected to one terminal of the motor by wire 7 4. Wire 7 5 connects the other terminal of the battery with one side of a manually This switch, in the arranged within reach of the driver, and

would normally be open as shown. WVhen.

the switch 76 is closed the circuit would be completed to the motor by wire 77, and the complete circuit would then be as follows: battery 73, wire 75, switch 76, wire 77, motor 25, and return wire 74.. The circuit through the motor may be otherwise completed through a shunt circuit that includes wire 78, wire 7 9,.and switch 80. This switch is controlled by cam 72, and its function is to keep the circuit closed through the winding motor until the starting spring has been wound to a predetermined maximum degree.

In order to facilitate the description, the

circuit through operating switch 76 may be termed the starting circuit, and that through the automatic switch 80 may be termed the winding circuit.

Cam 72 is circular excepting that it has two depressions 81 that are diametrically opposite each other. In the present instance it is of the same shape and size as cam 60. As shown by Fig. 12, switch 80 is carried by but insulated from a lever 82 and is arranged to engage stationary contacts 83, 88. Lever 82 is arranged upon a fulcrum stud 84 and carries a cam roll 85 that is arranged to coact with cam 72. Switch 80 is normally held open by a spring, and in the present instance spring 59 is utilized for this purpose as well as for the urpose of applying the brake. The arrangement of the spring to perform these two functions is clearly shown by Figs. 6 and 11. WVhen the several mechanisms are in their normal or initial positions as shown by Fig. 5, one of the depressions 81 of the switch-closing cam stands in registration with cam roll 85 and permits switch 80 to be held open by spring 59. 4

A normal cycle of operations is as follows. Assuming that the elements are in their normal condition as represented by Fig. 5, the starting spring being fully wound, the brake being applied, switch 80 being open, and all moving parts being at rest, the cycle is started by closing the manually operated starting switch. The starting circuit is thus closed through winding motor 25, and although the starting spring has been, to all intents and purposes, fully wound before the starting circuit is closed, the winding motor will cause a slight excess winding of the spring sufficient to enable one of the studs 66 on the winding gear to turn star-wheel 65 in the direction indicated by arrow 0 (Fig. 5). The angular motion thus imparted to the star-wheel will be sufficient to move one of the raised portions 51 of the brake-releasing cam into registration with roll 49. If such slight excess winding of the spring should subject the latter to too great stress the brake-band may slip, as hereinbefore explained, to counteract the excess winding. brake-releasing cam is not accompanied by any movement of lockout cam 60, because the latter receives its motion only from the outer end of the spring, and ordinarily the outer end of the springwould not have to slip far enough to result in any movement of 'the starting wheel that drives cam 60.

When roll 49 has been depressed below dead center the drag of the brake-drum upon the brake-band completes the release of the starting spring, thebrake mechanism being thereby placed in the condition shown by Figs. 6 and 7. It may be remarked that the braking effect of spring 59 is negligible when the roll 49 is below dead center and while the brake-drum continues to turn in the direction of arrow a, under the stress of the starting spring, the brake-setting elements will remain in the position shown by Figs. 6 and 7.

In the course of releasing the brake, as just explained, switch cam 72 is turned far enough to close the winding circuit through switch 80, and the driver may therefore release switch 76 as soon as he is aware that the starting spring has been released. The remainder of the cycle of operations will be controlled without any further effort or attention on the part of the driver.

The initial movement of the Even while the outer end of the spring is A unwinding to effect a start, the winding motor 25 is winding the inner end of the spring,

its energy and its outer end has been carried slightly beyond the point of complete relaxation by the momentum of the spring casing, the brake will be reset by spring 59 assisted by the recoil of said casing. The depressions 61 in the lockout cam are so located that one of them will be in registration with roll 49 when the starting spring is fully relaxed, as shown by Fig. 10, and consequently there is nothing to prevent the resetting of the brake at such time. It may be assumed that the internal combustion engine has been started by this time and is operating on its own power, and in such case the winding circuit through motor 25 will remain closed until the spring is fully rewound. During the rewinding operation the studs 66 that are carried by winding gear 24 drive cams 50 and 72 intermittently in the direction of arrow 0 (Fig. 5) until the next depression 81 in cam 72 moves into registration with roller 85. When such registration occurs, automatic switch 80 opens in response to the stress of spring 59, and the motor circuit is opened and the cams come to rest again in the positions shown by Fig. 5. This completes the cycle of normal operations. The qualification normal is intended to signify prompt starting of the internal combustion engine on its own power in response to the first starting action of the spring 18.

In some cases, as for example when the frictional or other resistance of the internal combustion engine is too great to enable the starting-spring to reach the point of complete relaxation but arrests the startingshaft 16 at an intermediate point of relaxation, the brake will not be reset, because the lockout cam 60 will not be in position to permit resetting. Nevertheless, the switch 80 will have been closed by its cam 72, and mo tor 25 will rewind the spring until the next depression 81 permits the automatic switch to open the winding circuit. If in the course of rewinding the spring from an intermediate point of relaxation the engine shaft turns slowly as the winding motor builds up energy in the starting spring, the lockout cam 50 will eventually reach an angular position where one of its depressions will register with roll 49 as shown by Fig. 19. The brake will thereupon be reset, further turning of the engine shaft will be prevented, and the rewinding of the spring will he completed, ending when the next depression in cam Y2 permits switch 80 to open.

In every case when the winding circuit of the motor is opened by switch 80 the controlling cams will be in the positions illustrated by Fig. 5, and if the driver desires to make another attempt to start the engine by means of the starting spring, he has merely to close switch- 76 again and the result will be either a normal or another abnormal ycle of operations. The cycle may be repeated as many times as may be desired or necessary.

The starter is capable of being mounted so that its shaft 16 will be coaxial with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, and Fig. 13 shows coupling means whereby the two shafts are connected in the relation explained. One end portion of the crank shaft is indicated at 86. A coupling member 87 is afiixed to the starter shaft 16 and is formed with an annular portion 88 into which the shaft 86 extends. A pin 89 extends radially through shaft 86 and occupies notches 90, 90 formed in the annular portion 88. Rotation is thus transmltted from shaft 16 to member 87, thence to coupling pin 89, and to the crank shaft. This form of coupling is equivalent to a universaljoint, for the clearance between the annular portion 88 and the parts carried by the crank shaft permits a slight angular relation of the two shafts without causing the parts to bind one upon another. The connection between the pin 89 and annular portion 88 is inclosed in an annular housing made of a single piece of pressed sheet-metal. Said housing comprises an inner flange 91, an outer flange 92, and a Web 93 connecting them.

This form of coupling enables the starter to be uncoupled from the crank shaft with spring, friction brake mechanism arranged to restrain, normally, the driving end of said spring, and means arranged to be operated by said winding mechanism to release said brake mechanism.

2. An engine-starter comprising a rotary member, a starting spring, means connecting one end of said spring with said memher to drive the latter, spring-winding mechanism arranged to wind the other end of said spring, a rotary friction-brake-member arranged to be driven by said spring, a stationary frictionbrake-member arranged to coact with said rotary brake-member to restrain rotation of the latter, brake-applying mechanism arranged to cause, normally, braking coaction of said brake members, and means arranged to be operated by said winding mechanism to counteract such brakeapplying action of said brake-applying mechanism.

3. An engine-starter comprising a rotary member, a starting spring, means connecting one end of said spring with said member to drive the latter, spring-winding mechanism arranged to wind the other end of said spring, a rotary brake-drum arranged to be driven by said spring, a stationary frictionbrake-member arranged to coact with said drum, brake-applying mechanism arranged to be affected by turning of said drum, when the brake is applied, to amplify the braking action, and means arranged to be operated by said winding mechanism to render said brake-applying mechanism ineffective.

4t. An engine-starter comprising a rotary member, a starting spring, means connecting one end of said spring with said member, to drive the latter, spring-winding mechanism arranged to wind the other end of said spring, brake mechanism arranged to re strain, normally, the driving end of said spring, a brake-controller arranged to be driven by the driving end of said spring to restrain said brake mechanism from acting excepting when said spring is in a predetermined state of relaxation, and means arranged to be driven by said winding mechanism to render said brake-mechanism inefli'ective. a I

5. An engi11estarter comprising a rotary member, a starting spring, means connecting one end of said spring with said member to drive the latter, spring-winding mechanism arranged to wind the other end of said spring, a friction brake including two cooperative braking members one of which is stationary and the other of which is arranged to be rotated by the driving end of said spring, brake-applying mechanism arranged to act normally to apply said brake, means arranged to be operated by said Winding mechanism to render said brake-applying mechanism ineffective, and, controlling means arranged to be operated by the driving end of said spring to prevent said brakeapplying mechanism from reapplymg the brake until the rotary brake member has turned a predetermined number 01"? rev0lutions after the release of the brake.v

6. An engine-starter comprising a starting spring, ,a rotary member connected to one end thereof to transmit the starting motion from said spring, friction brake mechanism arranged to restrain said rotary member, means arranged to wind the other end of said spring, and mechanism arranged to be actuated by said winding mechanism to release said brake mechanism in consequence of winding said other end of said spring a predetermined number of. revolutions. g

7. An engine-starter comprising a starting spring, a rotary member connected to one end thereof to transmit the starting motion from said spring, friction brake mechanism arranged to restrain said rotary member, winding mechanism arranged to wind the other end or" said spring, said winding mechanism including a gear, and means arranged to release said brake mechanism, said releasing means being arranged to be operated by said gear, in consequence of turaing the latter predetermined number of ing spring,

revolutions.

8. An engine-starter comprising a starta rotary member connected to one end thereof to transmit the starting motion iromsaid spring, brake mechanism arranged to restrain said rotary membe Vwinding mechanism arranged to wind the other end of said spring, said Winding mechanism including an electric motor, mechanism arranged to be actuated by said Winding mechanism to release said bralie mechanism in consequence of winding said other end of said spring a predetermined number of revolutions, and means arranged to be operated by said winding mechanism to open the circuit of said motor before said releasing mechanism is operated as EtfGlG- said. V

r 9. An engine-starter comprising a startspring, an electric motor and gearing arranged to wind said spring at one end, a rotatable member connected to the other end of said spring to transmit the starting motion from the spring, brake mechanism ar ranged to restrain said rotatable member, means arranged to be actuated by said gearing to open the circuit of said motor when the windingof said spring has progressed to a predetermined degree, and means arranged to be actuated by further spring-winding movement of said gearing to move said brake mechanism to release said rotatable member. 7 a

11. An engine-starter comprising a main spring, an electric motor and gearing arranged towind said spring at one end, a rotatable member connected to the other end of said spring to transmit the starting motion from the siring, brake mechanism arranged to restrain said rotatable member, said brake mechanism being arranged to be self-setting excepting while said rotatable member is partaking of starting motion, means arranged to be actuated by said gearing to open the circuit of said motor when the winding of said spring has progressed to a predetermined degree, and means arranged to be actuated by further spring-winding movement of said gearing to move said brah e mechanism to release said rotatable member.

the brake, and means arranged to be actu ated by said winding mechanism to displace said toggle members from sai 1 dead center relation, in opposition to the stress of said toggle-moving spring, in consequence of winding said starting spring to a predetermined degree,

13. In an engine-starter, a starting spring,

mechanism arranged to wind said spring at one end, a rotatable member connected to the other end of said spring to transmit the starting motion from the latter, brake mechanism arranged to restrain said rotatable member, means including trip mechanism arranged to hold said brake mechanism in brake-applying position, and a movable element arranged to trip said trip mechanism to release the brake, said movable element being arranged to be actuated for the purpose stated by an element of said winding mechanism in consequence of winding said starting spring to a predetermined degree.

14. In an engine-starter, a starting spring, mechanism including an electric motor arranged to wind said spring at one end, a rotatable member connected to the other end of said spring to transmit the starting motion from the latter, brake mechanism arranged to restrain said rotatable member, means including trip mechanism arranged to .hold said brake mechanism in brake-applying position, controlling means arranged to trip said trip mechanism to release the brake, said controlling means being arranged to be actuated for the .purpose stated by an element of said winding mechanism in consequence of winding said starting spring to a predetermined degree, and a switch adapted to open and close the circuit of said motor, said controlling means being arranged to operate said switch.

15. An engine-starter comprising a normally wound spring, a motor independent of the engine for storing power in the spring, a spring-driven member for transmitting starting power to the en ine shaft, and mechanism normally holding said driven member against movement in a state of rest when the power is stored in the spring sufiiciently to start the engine and said spring is in a state of rest and automatically releasing the driven member when the spring is wound farther.

16. An engine-starter comprising a spring, a spring-driven member, a brake arranged to restrain the springdriven member from rotation in a state of rest when the spring has been stressed to a predetermined extent sutlicient to start the engine and is in a state of rest, and mechanism set in action by further stressing the spring to release the brake and permit the spring to relax.

17. An engine-starter comprising a normally wound spring, a motor independent of the engine for winding the spring, a springdriven member for transmitting starting power from the spring to the engine shaft, and mechanism for automatically stopping the motor and holding the spring from unwinding when the spring has been wound to a predetermined extent.

18. An engine-starter comprising a spring, a spring-winding member, an electric motor for actuating said winding member, a springdriven member for imparting movement to the crank shaft of the engine, a brake for said spring-driven member, and mechanism for automatically setting said brake when said spring has been wound by said motor and said winding member.

19. An enginestarter comprising a spring, an electric motor for storing power in said spring, mechanism for transmitting power from the spring to the crank shaft of an engine, and automatic mechanism for stepping the operation of the motor upon completion of winding the spring and for restraining the spring in its wound condition, whereby the parts come to a normal state of rest with power stored in the spring.

20. An engine starter comprising a normally wound spring, mechanism for transmitting power from said spring to the engine, an electric motor for winding said spring, means for normally restraining said spring from unwinding, and adapted to be released under manual control to permit said spring to unwind, and mechanism for automatically causing said motor to operate when said spring is released until it again comes to a state of rest in a wound condition.

21. An engine starter comprising a spring, electrically operated spring-winding means independent of the engine, means normally restraining said spring from unwinding when wound and in a state of rest, and mechanism for releasing said spring to permit the transmission of power to the engine shaft.

22. An engine starter comprising a spring, a spring driven member, spring winding mechanism independent of the engine, mechanism for automatically restraining the spring-driven member when the spring has been wound, is in a state of rest, and starting power is stored therein, and mechanism under manual control, for automatically releasing said spring-driven member and causing the operation of the spring-winding mechanism.

23. An engine-starter comprising a spring, a spring-driven member from which power is imparted to the engine, spring-winding mechanism, mechanism for normally restraining said spring-drivcn member from operation and holding it in a state of rest with the spring in wound condition and in a state of rest, and means for causing said mechanism to release said member on further winding of said spring.

24:. An engine-starter comprising a normally wound spring, a spring-driven mem her, a brake normally holding said member against movement with the spring in wound condition, mechanism for opening the brake upon further winding of said spring, to release the spring and springdriven member, an electric motor for winding the spring, and mechanism for automatically closing the motor circuit to wind the spring and store power therein when said brake is open.

25. An engine-starter comprising a normally wound spring, a winding'member connected to one end of the spring, a springdriven member connected to the other end of said spring, a friction brake for the driven member, and mechanism operated by the winding'member for releasing or opening said brake.

26. An engine startercomprising a normally wound spring, a winding member connected to one end of the spring, a springdriven member connected to the other end of said spring, a friction brake for the driven member, mechanism operated by the winding member for releasing or opening said brake, and mechanism operated by the spring-driven member for closing said brake on said driven member.

27. An eng ne-starter comprismg a spring,

an electric motor for'winding said spring, a

spring-driven member, a brake for-holding said driven member against movement with engine-starting power stored in said spring, means for initially closing themotor circuit, and mechanism operated automatically by said electric'motor for maintaining the motor circuit closed until the spring is reset in wound condition.

28. An engine-starter comprising a normally wound spring, an electric motor for winding said spring and storing enginestarting powertherein, a spring-driven memher, a brake normally restraining said driven member, means for closing the motor circuit 1 'to initiate the operation of the motor, mechnism operated by the motor for operating said automatic switch, and mechanism for setting said brake when the spring is relaxed.

30. An engine-starter comprising a nor mally wound spring, a rotatable winding member connected to one end thereof, a rotatable spring-driven member connected to t ie other end thereof, a brake for the springdriven member tov hold it against rotation with the spring in wound condition, mechanism actuated by the winding mechanism for operating the brake to release the driven member and permit the spring to unwind, and mechanism actuated by the driven member to prevent the setting of the brake until the spring is relaxed. V

31. An engine-starter comprising a nor- .ly wound spring, a motor independent of the engine for winding or stressing the spring to a given point, whereby'power is stored therein for starting the engine, means for preventing the spring from unwinding when so stressed or wound, automatic means for stopping the motor when the spring has been so stressed or wound, means to close the motor circuit to start the motor and wind or stress the spring beyond said given point, and mechanism for automatically permitting the spring tounwind when so stressed or wound beyond said given point.

32. An engine-starter comprising a normally wound spring, an electric motor for winding or stressing said spring to a given point, means for preventing the spring "from unwinding when so stressed or wound, mechanism for automatically releasing said means to permit the spring to unwind when wound or stressed beyond'said point, means for automatically breaking the motor circuit when said spring has been stressed or wound to said point, and means under manual control for closing said motor circuit whereby said motor stresses or winds said spring beyond said point.

In testimony whereof we have allixed our signatures.

JOHN WV; ESTERLINE. DONALD J. ANGUS. 

